I was born in Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, but I was raised and grew up in a village named Carrizal Mirandinos high. In 1975 Cesar Tovar was presented the people in the stadium at that time was called “Vidal Lopez” in honor of the great Venezuelan baseball player. Came in a late model car and uniformadode Oakland Athletics. Cesar came to play with the athletes in this season of 75 and always participated in “Caimanera” as we say in Venezuela these games with friends, where what is done is to share and enjoy, as he returned from his campaigns in the north.

The excitement was intense for me and for all of us in the stadium. The admiration I felt for Tovar was great. It had been a witness, newspaper and television travésde of their actions, first with the Caracas Lions in the National Baseball and also in the big leagues. that day gave me a autógrafoy shared in a very humble and gentlemanly to all who were there. that was my first contact with the great Caesar.

At that time I was a boy of 13 who started me on the lides of baseball. We trained at the stadium is now called “Alexis Padilla” in honor of a great coach who made active life in the town of Carrizal. at that time to see a major leaguer in person was exciting and tremendous. the color of the uniform, white, green and orange of the As, the action of leaving the game with spectacular plays and batting paratodos sides, left indelible memories in a boy of 13 years and his companions witnessed what happened that day. Years passed, the dream of professional baseball ended at some point, life goes on. In the late 80’s, we find jugandoSoftbol with the team of “La Rinconada racetrack” place to a lot of sports and played the famous “Caimanera of Wednesday,” where artists, ex-players, softball, traders and all who could participate did with enthusiasm, joy no other purpose than to compartirsocialmente and for fun. Cesar Tovar in attending these meetings and was one of the most enthusiastic. At that time I know better and compartimosbastantes moments that gave me the opportunity to ask many things about his career. Tovar was a gentleman.

What I liked most was his style Cesar game. I say they are counted on the fingers of one hand the players with a style and spirit as that of Tovar aguerridocomo. It might be Pete Rose, Nellie Fox, Orestes Minoso and others but believe me there are not many in the style of play Caraqueño. Cesar played for the team, never give up no matter the score, ready to get a pitch to reach base, super safe defense, versatility, utility is the word that defined this outstanding Venezuelan player.

Cesar Tovar was born on July 3, 1940, in Caracas. His surname comes from his mother, Justina Tovar. His father’s name was Francisco Perez and never married his mother. his father’s genes are a player. “Frank” Perez juice amateur baseball with “Chico” Carrasquel.Caesar was shining shoes, from a poor family, the only thing his father heredode was his baseball glove and play like jugar.Empezó as 8 years by the cemetery and the Valley. at 15 was so much polished as a player and play with players Caimanera renowned at that time.Something I did not know was his close friendship with Gustavo Gil. They met in 1955 or so and always maintained a tremendous relationship. Gustavo has sidouno of the great second baseman who has given our baseball, well, his nickname is the “Master”.

Always played together and Gil Tovar, young, athletic, ball-hardened street. They began to be seen by scouts of the time. Let’s clear that times were not like today. losprobaban those who signed did not sign very well and everyone. You had to be really good.

The director of a subsidiary of Cincinnati, Gabe Paul, traveled to Caracas to sign Gil and terms by signing the two at the insistence of Gustavo. that was a morning of January 1, 1959. A $ 2000 Gil gave Cesar Tovar and NOTHING. His beginnings were slow to affiliates of the Reds.He won a batting champion and stealing many bases, Peron was able to climb a young man named Pete Rose who won the rookie of the year 1963. Cesar played where to put him and his work, especially at second base. With so much talent in the Reds organization in all categories and especially at second base, including the AA Gil. Deficiencies in the pivot for double playsy other little problems made Caesar a posh utilities. Is changed to the Minnesota Twins, where he met who was very important in his career, Billy Martin, who seconvertiría her guardian, because of admiration for the game Caraqueño peppers.

Most fans only remember the game where he covered the 9-position Tovar. that was the September 22, 1968. But believe me that Cesar Tovar friends was much more than that. Counting the exploits of this player could take hundreds of hours long, many stories, many stories and memories. I’m just going to remember it more meaningful. The first thing I would tell you is that Caesar juice for 24 seasons in the Venezuelan Professional League, second only to Victor Davalillo with 30. These two couples formed a most spectacular Caribbean baseball all time, played together for 19 seasons in the winter leagues.Batting baseball hits venezolano.Es 1254 Hall of Fame Venezuelan baseball since 2003.

1967 was a great year for Cesar Tovar, he led the American League with 649 at-bats and finished seventh in the choice of the most valuable player in the American League, a distinction that was Carl Yastrzemski of the Boston Red Sox , which that year won the triple crown of bateoLas five seasons ranging from 1967 to 1971 were the great years of Cesar Tovar in Major League Baseball, figuring all these years among the 25 best players in the league a player Americana.Fue versatile, highlighting its speed and intelligence to run the bases and had several seasons in which achieved good batting averages, and in the 1971 season he led the AL in hits bateados with 204. It was a powerful player batting, as show their 46 homers (a home run every at bat 121 times) and 435 RBIs (an average of 36 per season) over twelve campaigns in the best baseball in the world.

On May 18, 1969 get with his team mate, Panamanian Rod Carew, stealing five bases in the same inning, the third of its game against the Detroit Tigers, including two times the home, which gets very angry Detroit pitcher Mickey Lolich, who in a subsequent Tovar at-bat hit him with a direct shot to the head.

On September 19, 1972 getting hit the stairway (single, double, triple and home run) against Team Texas Rangers. Cesar Tovar holds the record for most attempts have broken game no-hitter in the American League with 5.

He participated in the major leagues for 12 añoscon: Minnesota Twins (1965-1972), Philadelphia Fillis (1973), Ranger (1974-75), Athletics (1975-76) and New York Yankees (1976). Cesar Tovar participated in (1,488) games, went to the batters box (5.569) turns, (834) runs, (1,546) hits, (253) doubles (35) triples (46), homers (435) RBI struck out (410) opportunities (34) high desacrificio, was beaten in (88) times, hit into double play (58) times average lifetime (278), (335) with runners on base and 368 of “Sluggin.” He had 600 turns or more four times, 649 – (1967), 613 – (1968), 650 – (1970) and 657 – (1971) all in uniform gemelo.Bateó (204) hitsdurante season (1971), played at (161) games, scored (120) and career (36) double in 1970. With the glove was (1.043), assists (1.557) games (124) errors, (174) double plays. As a base stealer was very good at (226) attempts to arrive safely at (108) for a (677%). Played third, second, center field, first, shortstop, pitcher, catcher, waoooootremendo player. In his final season with the New York Yankees jugóen only (13) games. In 1971, the Minnesota team had a constellation deestrellas such as Killiebrew Harmon, Rod Carew, Leo Cardenas, Tony Oliva, CESAR TOVAR, Alye Brant, Jim Nettles, Rick Dempsey, Jim Perry, Bert Blyleven, and Jim Kaat.

Al final of his days Caesar was softball coach at La Rinconada racetrack. He became guardian of Carlos Quintana, Degrand league player and the making of Caesar. He died of pancreatic cancer on July 14, 1994. His death was deeply felt in Minnesota where asked to find a moment of silence before the game that day.

Simon & Schuster

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"A really enjoyable series of biographical vignettes of professional baseball players, spanning the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries. If you're a fan of Bill James or Rob Neyer, you will really enjoy this work."